By: Eunice Rios
For many people, it’s hard being a woman in this era because of how men’s mentalities are. To go to work and come home to their wife/significant other, to cooked food, a clean house and just be an all around stay-at-home mom. For Zahra Najeebullah, her experience with living in this kind of environment started with her dad.
As a 14 year old, she has received a load of problems that seem to normally occur at home. At the time, she really didn’t know how to make sense of everything and she was just trying to enjoy being a kid. They both argue over how her dad wants her mom to be more like a servant than a wife and a mom.
“It all started when my parents were planning on moving from Alaska to California. I was a kid so I really didn’t notice what was going on with all the fighting,” Zahra said. “I realized it was more about how my parents had trouble with each other to get along.”
Moving was the only option her parents had to live a better life but it also caused a lot more arguments between her parents. As she got older, she said she started to see them argue and fight which would make her feel alone and depressed.
Zahra said that the struggle of having her family be at peace was hard and felt like she couldn't do anything: “My dad thinks that women are supposed to serve men because it’s what women are for.”
It was a difficult situation for Zahra and her mom but not just for them. “My dad’s siblings tell him to not be like that with us because they know it affects us a lot,” Zahra said. “It’s a struggle because he doesn't change, he doesn't like it when people tell him his flaws, and he doesn't want to admit it.”
During those times, she felt alone and as if there was no hope and no one to help her. Luckily, she has an aunt that has been with her since the beginning: “I’m thankful for having my aunt in my life, I don’t know what I’d do without her,” said Zahra. “She’s my friend, aunt, my role model, and my everything.”
Zahra’s aunt has been with her since the start. There have been many times where her aunt would take her places to distract her from what’s going on at home. While they go out, they start talking, she helps her with advice, hugs her, and shows her love.
Fortunately, as time passed, Zahra started to see a change in her dad. She knew this was a new start for her dad and her family. “We would talk about our problems and we’d go walk around all the time to de-stress and at the end, we’d hug each other and start over,” she said.
Zahra’s life had taken a new turn and she realized that it was a hard and difficult situation which would take time. When she saw that her aunt had her back and she didn’t go through this battle alone, she made it through it until the end with the people that cared for her.
She’s absorbed a lot out of this situation between her parents, but she’s grateful that they made the decision to work it out. “Things will be difficult in life, but in the end there will always be happiness [so] don’t lose hope,” said Zahra.
For many people, it’s hard being a woman in this era because of how men’s mentalities are. To go to work and come home to their wife/significant other, to cooked food, a clean house and just be an all around stay-at-home mom. For Zahra Najeebullah, her experience with living in this kind of environment started with her dad.
As a 14 year old, she has received a load of problems that seem to normally occur at home. At the time, she really didn’t know how to make sense of everything and she was just trying to enjoy being a kid. They both argue over how her dad wants her mom to be more like a servant than a wife and a mom.
“It all started when my parents were planning on moving from Alaska to California. I was a kid so I really didn’t notice what was going on with all the fighting,” Zahra said. “I realized it was more about how my parents had trouble with each other to get along.”
Moving was the only option her parents had to live a better life but it also caused a lot more arguments between her parents. As she got older, she said she started to see them argue and fight which would make her feel alone and depressed.
Zahra said that the struggle of having her family be at peace was hard and felt like she couldn't do anything: “My dad thinks that women are supposed to serve men because it’s what women are for.”
It was a difficult situation for Zahra and her mom but not just for them. “My dad’s siblings tell him to not be like that with us because they know it affects us a lot,” Zahra said. “It’s a struggle because he doesn't change, he doesn't like it when people tell him his flaws, and he doesn't want to admit it.”
During those times, she felt alone and as if there was no hope and no one to help her. Luckily, she has an aunt that has been with her since the beginning: “I’m thankful for having my aunt in my life, I don’t know what I’d do without her,” said Zahra. “She’s my friend, aunt, my role model, and my everything.”
Zahra’s aunt has been with her since the start. There have been many times where her aunt would take her places to distract her from what’s going on at home. While they go out, they start talking, she helps her with advice, hugs her, and shows her love.
Fortunately, as time passed, Zahra started to see a change in her dad. She knew this was a new start for her dad and her family. “We would talk about our problems and we’d go walk around all the time to de-stress and at the end, we’d hug each other and start over,” she said.
Zahra’s life had taken a new turn and she realized that it was a hard and difficult situation which would take time. When she saw that her aunt had her back and she didn’t go through this battle alone, she made it through it until the end with the people that cared for her.
She’s absorbed a lot out of this situation between her parents, but she’s grateful that they made the decision to work it out. “Things will be difficult in life, but in the end there will always be happiness [so] don’t lose hope,” said Zahra.